GARDENS have been alive with colourful spring flowers, and we keen gardeners are busy buying summer and autumn displays to complement what we have spent hundreds of pounds on.

We have removed the "inverted" hanging baskets which have provided a "suit of armour" for our plants, and stocked up with cat repellent products yet again. The trellis on top of a 5ft high fence; rose cuttings buried around the garden; teabags soaked in Jeyes Fluid; mothballs and other would-be deterrents have all been tried.

All this ready for another invasion of cats. They squash and dig up the flowers, and spray up the shrubs and conifers, killing them within weeks.

Why do people have pets they very rarely see?

Is it not about time the law was changed? If my dog was to cause such "criminal damage" I would be held liable.

I quite like cats but why can't owners have house cats? Many vets agree they adapt quite happily to living indoors.

Have any readers any legal, foolproof methods of keeping cats out, before my husband resorts to stronger means?

We seem to be spending more on repellents and replacement plants than ever before.

Please don't suggest we buy a cat - because if we did, it would be a house cat.

COOKLEY RESIDENT

Name and address supplied